YDA J. SMITH, PhD portrait
  • Adjunct Associate Professor, Physical Therapy & Athletic Training
  • Associate Professor (Lecturer), Occupational & Recreational Therapies

Professional Service

  • Karen Community of Utah. Role: Mentor. Program development and research support . 09/03/2018 - present
  • University Neighborhood Partners - Hartland Partnership. Youth Committee. 01/2014 - present
  • Utah Department of Workforce Services Refugee Health Committee. member. 10/2012 - present
  • University Neighborhood Partners - Hartland Partnership. Health Committee. 09/2010 - present
  • University Neighborhood Partners - Hartland Partnership. Steering Committee. 09/2004 - present

Internal Service

  • College of Health Representative on Health Sciences Office of Health Equity and Inclusion . Member, 08/16/2016 - present. College service.
  • College of Health Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Chair, 02/08/2016 - present. College service.
  • College of Health Representative on Global Health Initiative Working Group. member, 01/2014 - present. Other service.
  • General Education Curriculum Council. Committee Member, 08/2013 - 02/2014. University service.
  • College of Health Diversity Committee. Chair, 04/2013 - present. College service.
  • Scholarship Committee. member, 08/16/2012 - present. Department service.
  • International Exchange Committee. College of Health representative, 08/2009 - 12/2013. College service.
  • International Requirement Committee. College of Health representative, 08/2008 - 05/2013. College service.
  • Faculty Director of Research Symposium. Student Advisor/Research Symposium organization, 01/2008 - 05/2013. Department service.

Community Partnership

  • Somali Community Management Agency. 06/2012 - 12/2013
  • Utah Health and Human Rights Project. 01/2011 - present
  • Karen Community of Utah. 02/01/2008 - present
  • Hser Ner Moo Center. 01/2007 - 01/01/2013
  • International Rescue Committee. 01/2004 - present
  • University Neighborhood Partners - Hartland Partnership. 01/2004 - present

Honors & Awards

  • 2019 -2021 University Neighborhood Partners Community Scholar in Residence. University of Utah - University Neighborhood Partners, 07/08/2019
  • University of Utah Community Engaged Teaching and Scholarship Award. University of Utah, 01/14/2019
  • 2018 Rescue Partner Award . International Rescue Committee, 11/10/2018
  • College of Health Faculty & Staff Inclusive Excellence Award . University of Utah College of Health, 05/04/2017
  • Bonnie Held Award of Excellence, Utah Occupational Therapy Association. Utah Occupational Therapy Association, 05/02/2016
  • Community Service Outstanding Achievement Award. YWCA, 09/2014
  • Distinguished Mentor Award. University of Utah College of Health, 05/2014
  • Award for service to Salt Lake City Karen community. Karen Community of Utah , 12/31/2011
  • Award for service to community. Somali Bantu Association of Utah, 01/22/2011

Affiliations

  • University Neighborhood Partners - Hartland Partnership (UNP-Hartland), Supervision of OT students in life skills training, 2004 - present

In the Media